Discover the top 100 Japanese baby names for boys and girls in 2022 according to research by Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance company. The top 10 names are accompanied by their meanings. You will see that most of these are inspired by nature.
There appears to be a trend towards shorter names, and there are an increasing number of western-influenced names. For instance the top two names for girls are “Ema” (Emma) and “Mei” (May) and boys’ names “Rui” (Louis) and “Reo” (Leo) also rank within the top 50. Perhaps this signals that Japan is becoming more international.
Top 10 Japanese girls’ names and their meanings
- Ema – a blooming jasmine flower
- Mei – Me: green shoots; i = rely on
- Sana – Sa: a coarse silk fabric; na: Chinese quince
- Mio – a waterway, channel
- Ichika – Ichi: Single; ka: flower
- Yui – Yu: knot / tie; I: cloth / cover
- Aoi – althea (flowering plant)
- Koharu – Ko: heart; haru = spring
- Tsumugi – woven raw silk
- Himari – althea in the sun
Top 10 Japanese boys’ names and their meanings
- Haruto – Haru: sun; to: fly
- Aoto – Ao: blue-green; to: human / humane
- Riku – Land, shore
- Minato – Waterway, channel
- Haruki – Haru: calm; ki: hope
- Yuito – Yui: knot, tie; to: fly
- Haru – Sunshine
- Aoi – Blue
- Souta – Sou: gust of wind; ta: bold
- Itsuki – Tree
Top 50 Japanese girls’ names 2022
- Ema
- Mei
- Sana
- Mio
- Ichika
- Yui
- Aoi
- Koharu
- Tsumugi
- Himari
- Honoka
- Hina
- Akari
- Hinata
- Sakura
- Rio
- Yuna
- Rin
- Uta
- Ena
- Iroha
- Yua
- Nagisa
- Noa
- Sara
- Riko
- Hiyori
- Hana
- Yuno
- Kanon
- Miyu
- Fuuka
- Ito
- Rei
- Kotoha
- Sui
- Sena
- Hinano
- Kann-na
- Yuina
- Yuzuha
- Rino
- Suzu
- Sumire
- Yuzuki
- Rinka
- Oto
- Sora
- Yuika
- Momoka
Top 50 Japanese boys’ names 2022
- Haruto
- Aoto
- Riku
- Minato
- Haruki
- Yuito
- Haru
- Aoi
- Souta
- Itsuki
- Hinata
- Sora
- Souma
- Yuuto
- Taiga
- Yuuma
- Kanata
- Kaito
- Ao
- Kanato
- Sousuke
- Rui
- Saku
- Hayato
- Kouki
- Toa
- Ayato
- Yuusei
- Renn
- Asahi
- Reo
- Ibuki
- Rito
- Akito
- Iori
- Sena
- Rei
- Hiroto
- Kairi
- Nagi
- Yuuri
- Sakuto
- Ritsuki
- Ritsu
- Kotarou
- Sou
- Kai
- Mitsuki
- Yamato
- Eito